Methods Groups

Cochrane plays a key role in networking methodologists supporting a large community of methods expertise as it engages with the rapidly increasing methods innovation and development in evidence synthesis.Highly regarded methodologists who work in Cochranehave made a global, substantial contribution over the last 20 years to the overall development of evidence synthesis – systematic reviews.The Cochrane platform provides real world opportunities to test and implement evidence synthesis methods.

Cochrane organises these methodologists into seventeen methods specific groups referred to as Methods Groups. Small groups of senior and experienced colleagues convene these Methods Groups. They are involved in methods research, development and evaluation, leading in published Methods Guidance, Handbooks and setting standards for the conduct and reporting of reviews. They provide valued networks for people to share and develop ideas and explore career development within their chosen field.

Methods are continuously changing and developing. Cochrane welcomes methodologists so that it can continue to flourish in this dynamic environment. Please do make contact with the Methods Groups in your area of interest by clicking on the names listed below or visit their website by clicking on the logo. If your area of interest does not fit within these Groups or you are unsure please contact Cochrane Methods

Note that the Economics and Equity Groups are registered with both the Campbell Collaboration and Cochrane. Their Group logos are differentiated by the Campbell colour yellow. Similarly, the GRADEing logo is red to indicate their alignment with the GRADE Working Group

The Adverse Effects Methods Group aims to develop the methods for producing high quality systematic reviews and to advise Cochrane on how the validity and precision of systematic reviews can be improved by taking account of and evaluating adverse effects.

The Agenda and Priority Setting Methods Group aims to inform Cochrane Groups about the empirical evidence available for methods to set research agendas or priorities, in particular (but not limited to) systematic reviews.

The Comparing Multiple Interventions Methods Group (CMIMG) focuses on methods for network meta-analysis and for overviews of reviews. Network meta-analyses (otherwise known as multiple treatments meta-analyses and mixed treatment comparisons) combine results from studies making different comparisons from among a set of treatments for the same condition, exploiting indirect comparisons of treatments via common comparator treatments.

The Campbell and Cochrane Economics Methods Group is registered with both the Campbell Collaboration and Cochrane. It continues to look for opportunities to collaborate with review groups and teams seeking to include an economics perspective within their Cochrane Reviews, either as formal review outcomes or as brief economic commentaries.

The Campbell and Cochrane Equity Methods Group is registered with both the Campbell Collaboration and Cochrane. The Group aims to encourage authors of Campbell and Cochrane Reviews to include explicit descriptions of the effect of the interventions upon the disadvantaged and/or their ability to reduce socioeconomic inequalities in health, and to promote their use to the wider community.

The goal of the Cochrane GRADEing (formerly known as the Applicability and Recommendations Methods Group – ARMG) is to develop approaches, strategies and guidance that facilitate the uptake of information from Cochrane Reviews and their use by a wide audience with specific focus on developers of recommendations and on healthcare decision makers.

The GRADE approach (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) is a method of grading the quality of evidence and the strength of recommendations in guidelines. This approach is being used by many international organisations to produce rigorous and transparent clinical practice guidelines and other health care recommendations.

The Individual Participant Data Meta-analysis Group contributes to Cochrane by providing guidance to those planning or undertaking Cochrane Reviews based on Individual Participant Data. The group also conducts methodological research relating either specifically to IPD meta-analysis or to inform the conduct of systematic reviews more generally.

Authors are advised to contact the Group if they intend to undertake an IPD Cochrane Review.

The Information Retrieval Methods Group provides advice to Cochrane on information retrieval policy and practice, to provide training and support, to conduct empirical research (including systematic reviews) into information retrieval methods, to help monitor the quality of searching techniques employed in Cochrane Reviews and to serve as a forum for discussion.

The Cochrane Non-Randomized Studies (NRS) for Interventions Methods Group aims to help individual reviewers to carry out Cochrane Reviews which include NRS. It also aims to provide guidance about the inclusion of non-randomized studies of the effectiveness of health care interventions in Cochrane Reviews. The Group also continues to collaborate with the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) working group to develop recommendations for grading evidence based on systematic reviews of non-randomized studies.

The focus of the Patient Reported Outcomes Methods Group (PROMG), is on patient-important outcomes in treatment trials. The goal is to see that PROs are included in all Cochrane Reviews, where appropriate. A second goal is to assist reviewers preparing Cochrane Reviews in evaluating the methods and outcomes of PROs used in clinical trials included in systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

The Prognosis Methods Group (PMG) aims to develop the best methodological standards for conducting systematic reviews of prognosis studies and develop prognosis Cochrane Reviews. The PMG works with other Cochrane Groups to ensure the best use of evidence of prognosis when conducting and reporting Cochrane Reviews.

The Prospective Meta-Analysis Methods Group (PMAMG) is open to anyone who is conducting, has conducted, or is interested in conducting a prospective meta-analysis (PMA), regardless of the area of health care investigated.

The Qualitative and Implementation Methods Group (QIMG) aims to provide guidance on the methods and processes involved in the synthesis and integration of qualitative evidence with Cochrane Reviews of interventions including methods for undertaking systematic reviews of implementation. Its purpose is to advise Cochrane and its network of people on policy and practice and qualitative evidence synthesis; develop and maintain methodological guidance; and provide training to those undertaking Cochrane Reviews.

The Cochrane Rapid Reviews Methods Group (RRMG) will better inform ‘rapid review’ methodology. This is an area of new methodological development for Cochrane, which may influence the way in which a subset of reviews and/or other products by Cochrane are undertaken to accommodate condensed timelines for urgent decision-making. The group will address further research specific to the conduct of rapid reviews; supporting Cochrane groups to make more informed choices about their methods and possible processes to undertake abbreviated Cochrane Reviews making them more streamlined, timely, and relevant to end-users.

The role of the Screening and Diagnostic Tests Methods Group is to manage the process of publishing Cochrane Reviews of diagnostic test accuracy. Members of the Group provide substantial support for the DTA editorial process through their roles as editors and also as reviewers.

The Statistical Methods Group (SMG) is a forum where all statistical issues related to the work of Cochrane are discussed. The SMG has a broad scope which covers issues relating to statistical methods. It provides policy advice on statistical issues, organizes training activities, helps to develop software and performs research. It aims to ensure that adequate statistical and technical support is available to review groups.